Nem todos os países do mundo desprezam o seu passado. Em Outubro de 2004 W passou uma lei - Public Law 108-375 - que protege os navios históricos americanos e encoraja a realização de acordos bilaterais. Eu não tenho seguido o assunto, mas na altura mandei isto a todas as pessoas que conheço nos ministérios dos negócios estranjeiros e da cultura:
2005 National Defense Authorization Act. Title XIV of the Act (Public Law Number 108-375)
Sections 1401 to 1408. Page 2094 to 2098.
Title 1407 encoraja a elaboração de acordos bilaterais e multilaterais com outros países para a protecção mútua de vasos de guerra afundados, entendidos como navios de guerra ou navios do estado envolvidos em actividades de suporte.
It is on the body of international law which extends from Hugo Grotius in the seventeenth century to UNCLOS that the positions of leading maritime states regarding the perpetual ownership of their sovereign ships rests. The following is a recitation of some of those positions.
Germany: "Under international law, warships and other vessels or aircraft owned or operated by a State and used only on government non- commercial service (``State vessels and aircraft'') continue to enjoy sovereign immunity after sinking, wherever they are located. The Federal Republic of Germany also retains ownership of any German State vessel or aircraft owned by it or the German Reich at the time of its sinking. Further, many sunken warships and aircraft are maritime graves, which have to be respected. No intrusive action may be taken in relation to German State vessels or aircraft without the express consent of the German Government.'' (Communication from the German Foreign Ministry, October 30, 2003).
Japan: "According to international law, sunken State vessels, such as warships and vessels on government service, regardless of location or of the time elapsed remain the property of the State owning them at the time of their sinking unless it explicitly and formally relinquishes its ownership. Such sunken vessels should be respected as maritime graves. They should not be salvaged without the express consent of the Japanese Government.'' (Communication from the Government of Japan, September 13, 2003).
Russian Federation: "Under international law of the sea all the sunken warships and government aircraft remain the property of their flag State. The Government of the Russian Federation retains ownership of any Russian sunken warship, including the warships of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union, regardless the time they sank. These craft are considered places of special governmental protection and cannot be salvaged without special permission of the Government of the Russian Federation.'' (Communication from the Government of the Russian Federation, October 3, 2003).
Spain: "The Embassy of Spain presents its compliments to the Department of State and has the honor to address the matter of Spanish laws and policy regarding the remains of sunken vessels that were lost while in the service of the Kingdom of Spain and/or were transporting property of the Kingdom of Spain. In accordance with Spanish and international law, Spain has not abandoned or otherwise relinquished its ownership or other interests with respect to such vessels and/or its contents, except by specific action pertaining to particular vessels or property taken by Royal Decree or Act of Parliament in accordance with Spanish law. Many such vessels also are the resting place of military and/or civilian casualties.
"The Embassy of Spain accordingly wishes to give notice that salvage or other disturbance of sunken vessels or their contents in which Spain has such interests is not authorized and may not be conducted without express consent by an authorized representative of the Kingdom of Spain.'' (Embassy of Spain, Washington, DC, Note No. 128, December 19, 2002).
United Kingdom: "Under international law, warships, naval auxiliaries, and other vessels or aircraft owned or operated by a State and used only on government non-commercial service ("State vessels and aircraft'') enjoy sovereign immunity. State vessels and aircraft continue to enjoy sovereign immunity after sinking, unless they were captured by another State prior to sinking or the flag State has expressly relinquished its rights. The flag State's rights are not lost merely by the passage of time. Further, many sunken State vessels and aircraft are maritime graves, which should be respected. No intrusive action may be taken in relation to the United Kingdom's sovereign immune State vessels or aircraft without the express consent of the United Kingdom.'' (Communication from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, July 4, 2003).
Em vão. Julgo aliás que, à boa maneira portuguesa, como eu não sou lá muito popular entre os funcionários públicos destes dois ministérios (que me conhecem), já não interesa o que eu digo, desde que seja eu a dizer...
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3 comentários :
Como monárquico, folgo em saber que metade da legislação citada está em vigor em monarquias. :)
Agora a sério (que o cú nada tem de ver com as calças), creio que tem toda a razão: existe e sempre existiu a mais completa negligência pela salvaguarda do património, quando não destruição, por parte dos vários estados portugueses. Por isso, não me é nada difícil acreditar nas acusações que faz quanto à irresponsabilidade com que se permite a actividade desta Arqueonautas.
Mande brasa.
Filipe, a propósito, já contactou a Gulbenkian acerca disto?
Não. A Gulbenkian tem sido excepcional neste campo, mas não faz lobbying. Financia projectos com qualidade e aposta no futuro. Mais não pode fazer. Por exemplo, a Gulbenkian financiou um aluno português que fez um mestrado aqui na A&M, mas ele chegou a Portugal e, como a mim, os mandarins da arqueologia fecharam-lhe as portas todas.
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